Drawing device

ABSTRACT

A drawing device which includes a frame movable over a marking surface by at least a pair of wheels fixedly secured to a shaft for rotation with the wheels. At least one marking member is mounted on the frame and movable relative thereto to draw a predetermined pattern onto the marking surface in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface. A cam drum, having a plurality of different, individual cam runs disposed longitudinally therealong, is secured to the rotating shaft and a linkage is operatively connected to the marking member, with a cam follower of the linkages engageable with the cam drum to move the marking member relative to the frame in a pattern determined by the individual cam runs on the cam drum. The cam follower portion of the linkage and the cam drum are relatively shiftable to thereby permit selective determination of the pattern to be drawn by the drawing device. The marking member is journaled on the frame for movement toward and away from the frame, as well as pivoting movement relative to the frame, to provide for further selective changes of the drawn pattern.

tates Patent Morrison et al.

[54] DRAWING DEVICE [72] Inventors: Howard J. Morrison, Highland Park;Marvin 1. Glass, Chicago, both of lll.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 [21]Appl. No.: 71,868

Primary Examiner-Leonard Forman Assistant ExaminerCharles E. PhillipsAttorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord 1 ar. M, W72

[5 7] ABSTRACT A drawing device which includes a frame movable over amarking surface by at least a pair of wheels fixedly secured to a shaftfor rotation with the wheels. At least one marking member is mounted onthe frame and movable relative thereto to draw a predetermined patternonto the marking surface in response to movement of the frame over themarking surface. A cam drum, having a plurality of different, individualcam runs disposed longitudinally therealong, is secured to the rotatingshaft and a linkage is operatively connected to the marking member, witha cam follower of the linkages engage able with the cam drum to move themarking member relative to the frame in a pattern determined by theindividual cam runs on the cam drum. The cam follower portion of thelinkage and the cam drum are relatively shiftable to thereby permitselective determination of the pattern to be drawn by the drawingdevice. The marking member is journaled on the frame for movement towardand away from the frame. as well as pivoting movement relative to theframe, to provide for further selective changes of the drawn pattern.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures DRAWING DEVICE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a self-contained designing toy ordrawing device movable over a marking surface to draw a predeterminedpattern thereon.

Various manual drawing devices presently are available and include apositioning frame which has a marking surface or an area for receivingmaterials such as paper or the like which have marking surfaces, and avariety of stencillike members, such as perforated guide bars or rings,are provided for movement within the frame or guide means with a pencilor like marking device to trace various patterns on the marking surface.Such devices normally draw concentric rectangular, spiral, or circularpatterns on the surface by manual manipulation of a pencil or likemarking device guided by the perforated bars or rings. Ingenuity increating designs is the primary purpose of such devices. Other manualdrawing devices have been provided which are movable over a drawingsurface, with a marking member adapted to draw a continuous pattern inresponse to movement of the device over the marking surface. However,with devices of the latter type, use thereof becomes quite monotonousbecause the pattern always is the same. The present invention isdirected to providing a new and improved designing toy for drawing apredetermined pattern on a marking surface in response to movement ofthe device over the marking surface, and the device has means permittingan extremely wide range of selections and/or changes in the drawnpattern and thereby enhance the artistic creations of the user,particularly a child.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new andimproved drawing device of the character described, and, particularly, anew and improved drawing device which provides for selectivelydetermining the patterns drawn on the marking surface by the device asit is moved over the marking surface.

The invention contemplates employing a frame which is movable over amarking surface, with marking means mounted on the frame and movablerelative thereto to draw a predetermined pattern onto the markingsurface in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface.Means are provided to selectively change the movement of the markingmeans relative to the frame to thereby change the pattern drawn thereby.The device is a self-contained unit, with the means for selectivelychanging the pattern mounted on the frame of the device.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of wheels arefixedly secured for rotation with a drive shaft mounted on the frame,the wheels being in engagement with the marking surface so that thedrive shaft rotates with the wheels in response to movement of the frameover the marking surface. A cam drum is mounted on the shaft androtatable therewith, and a linkage is operatively connected to themarking means and has a cam follower portion engageable with the camdrum to move the marking means relative to the frame in a patterndetermined by the cam drum. The cam drum has a plurality of differentindividual cam runs disposed longitudinally along the cam drum, andmeans are provided for shifting the cam follower portion of the linkageselectively along the cam drum for engagement with selected ones of thecam runs to thereby selectively change the pattern drawn by the markingmeans.

The marking means of the present invention preferably comprises a pairof marking members oscillated by the linkage between the cam dmm and themarking members in a predetermined sequence generally perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the frame over the marking surface.

Each cam run on the cam drum has a plurality of rises and falls toeffect the oscillating movement of the marking members. The rises causethe marking members to move outwardly perpendicular to the direction ofmovement of the device, and spring means are provided to urge themarking members back inwardly as the cam follower portion of the linkagemoves over the falls on the cam drum.

The marking members preferably are independently journaled on the frameon an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of theframe over the marking surface to permit the marking members to bepivoted about the axis to adjust the amplitude of the oscillatorymovement of either of the marking members to provide further changes forthe drawn pattern. The marking members also are independently adjustablein a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of theframe over the marking surface to provide further changes for the drawnpattern. Such adjustment of the marking members, along with theplurality of different cam runs on the cam drum, provide for greatercreativity in the selection of patterns to be drawn by the device thanhas heretofore been available.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawingdevice, embodying the concepts of the present invention, and shownpositioned on a marking surface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. II, with the twomarking members moved outwardly from the positions shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIGS. I and 2, on anenlarged scale, with portions cut away and in section to facilitate theillustration;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken generally along the line Al- 4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 5- 5 of FIG.3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cam drum utilized in the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The drawing device of the presentinvention, as shown herein, is incorporated in a self-contained manuallymovable unit which is designed to ride over and upon a marking surfaceto draw patterns on that surface corresponding to the movement of a pairof marking members movable relative to the frame of the device, andhaving means permitting the user of the device to selectively determinethe movement of the marking members relative to the frame as the devicemoves over the marking surface. For illustration purposes, the device isshown in the form or configuration of a mechanical insect which has apair of movable head portions, the device being manually movable overthe drawing surface, all of which will be described in greater detailhereinafter.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the device of the presentinvention, generally designated 10, includes a generally hollow frame 12within which most of the operative components of the device are housed.The device is manually movable over a marking surface 14 by a pair offront wheels 16 and a pair of rear wheels I8. The rear wheels 18 arefixedly secured to a rectangularly shaped (in cross section) drive shaft20 for rotation therewith, the wheels being spaced in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 12over the marking surface M. Each wheel 18 has a friction surface aboutthe periphery thereof, the disclosed embodiment comprising rubber rings22. The rubber rings 22, along with the wheels 18 being fixed to theshaft 20, facilitate the frame 12 in moving over the marking surface 14in a straight line.

The marking means of the present invention comprises a pair of holders24 within which are received vertically a pair of marking members 26(such as pens, pencils, and the like) for engagement at their lower endswith the marking surface 14-. As will be described in greater detailhereinafter, the holders 24 and the marking members 26 move relative tothe frame 10 to draw a predetermined pattern onto the marking surface I4in response to movement of the frame over the marking surface, and meansare provided for selectively changing the movement of the holders 24(and thus the marking members 26) relative to the frame 12 to therebypermit selective determination of the pattern to be drawn by the markingmembers 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, a cam drum, generally designated 28, isfixed to the shaft 20 between the wheels 18 for rotation therewith. Thecam drum has a plurality of different, individual cam runs 280 through28g disposed longitudinally therealong. A linkage, generally designated30 in FIG. 3, is provided to operatively associate the cam drum 28 withthe marking holders 24, and marking members 26, so that the markingmembers oscillate in a predetermined sequence generally perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface 14.The sequence and amplitude of the oscillatory movement of the markingmembers are determined primarily by the rises and falls on the cam runs28a-28 of the cam drum 28.

More particularly, the linkage 30 between the cam drum 28 and themarking members 26 (and holders 24) comprises an elongated flap 32pivoted by ears 32a, disposed along the top edge thereof to the frame10, so that the flap is freely swingable, as like a pendulum, as bestseen by the dot-dash and full lines in FIG. 5. The flap 32 has a camfollower portion 32b which operatively engages the cam runs 28a-28g ofthe cam drum 28. Thus, as the cam drum 28 rotates with the shaft 20, therises and falls on the particular selected cam run, as will be describedin greater detail hereinafter, will cause the flap to move back andforth, as shown best in FIG. 5. The linkage 30 further includes a lever,generally designated 34, for each of the marking holders 24 and pivotedon a vertical shaft 36. Each lever 34 has a forwardly protruding armportion 34a fixed to one of the marking holders 24 and an offsetrearwardly protruding arm portion 34b which is maintained in engagementwith the flap 32 by means of wire springs 38 (as more fully describedhereinafter).

Thus, the operative chain between the cam drum 28 and the markingholders 24 (and marking members 26) is as follows: As the followerportion 32b of the swingable flap 32 engages a rise on one of the camruns 28a-28g of the cam drum 28, the flap will be moved in the directionof arrow A (FIG. and, through its engagement with the lever arm portions34b, will cause the levers 34 to pivot in a direction whereby theforwardly protruding arm portions 340 of the levers will move outwardlyin the direction of arrows B (FIG. 3) to separate the marking holders 24and cause the marking members 26, held thereby, to mark diverging lineson the marking surface 14 as the device moves in a forward direction. Asthe cam follower portion 32b of the swingable flap 32 reaches a fall inone of the cam runs 28a-28g of the cam drum 28, the springs 38 will biasthe levers 34 in a direction so that the marking holders 24 move backinwardly in a direction opposite that of arrows B (FIG. 3) and therebymark converging lines on the marking surface, as drawn by the markingmembers 26. In essence, the marking holders 24 and marking members 26are oscillated generally perpendicular to the direction of movement ofthe frame over the marking surface in identical but oppositely orientedpatterns. The sequence of oscillation and the amplitude thereof aredetermined by the rises and falls on the cam runs 28a-28g of the camdrum 28.

To provide for selective changing or determination of the movement ofthe marking holders 24 (and marking members 26) relative to the frame 10as the frame is moved over the marking surface 14, the cam drum 28 isslidably mounted on the shaft so that the different individual cam runs28a through 28g may be selectively positioned for engagement with thecam follower portion 32b on the swingable flap 32. To facilitateshifting the cam drum 28 along the shaft 20, a handle 40 is provided andprotrudes from the casing 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and issecured to a yoke, generally designated 42 in FIG. 4, disposed withinthe casing and embracing the cam drum 28. The yoke 42 has a pair ofdownwardly depending arms 42a (FIGS. 4 and 5) disposed on opposite sidesof the cam drum to sandwich the cam drum therebetween and the arms 42ahave apertures 42b through which the rectangular shaft 20 extends. Theapertures 42b are sufficiently larger than the rectangular shaft 20 andis circular in shape to permit the yoke 42 to move freely longitudinallyalong the shaft 20, with the handle 40 moving therewith, to move the camdrum 28 along the shaft 20 and shift the cam drum relative to the camfollower portion 32b of the flap 32.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the top wall of the casing 12 has anelongated slot 44 to accommodate movement of the handle 40longitudinally of the shaft 20. The front of the slot 44 has a pluralityof notches 44a corresponding in number and position to the cam runs28a-28g on the cam drum 28 so that a narrow rib portion 40a (FIGS. 3 and4) of the handle 40 may be disposed in the slots to accurately locateand hold the cam drum in position along the shaft 20 with one of the camruns 28a-28 in engagement with the cam follower portion 32b of the flap32. As seen in FIG. 5, a front lip portion 42c of the arms 42a (whichdepend from the handle 40) are held in engagement with the flap 32 alongthe lower edge thereof. This engagement is maintained by the springs 38which urge the lever 34 against the flap 32 and into engagement with thecam drum 28. Consequently, the springs 38 hold the narrow rib portion40a of the handle 40 in the notches 44a in the top wall of the frame 20.To shift the cam drum 28 longitudinally along the shaft 20, the handle40 is depressed in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 5) to the positionshown by the dot-dash lines in FIG. 5. Thus, the handle and thedepending arms 42a will pivot about shaft 20 and urge the flap 32 awayfrom the cam drum 28 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 5) so that thefollower portion 32b of the flap will not interfere with the movement ofthe cam drum 28 longitudinally along the shaft 20.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the holders 24 for the marking members 26have rearwardly extending rod portions 50 joumaled in bushings 52secured to the front of the forwardly extending arm portions 34a of thelever 34. This structure permits the holders 24 for the marking members26 to be pivoted about an axis which normally extends generally parallelto the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the marking surface14, so as to adjust the lower end of the marking members 26 generallyperpendicular to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over themarking surface 14 and thereby adjust the amplitude of the oscillatorymovement of either or both of the marking holders 24 for the markingmembers 26. The holders 24 and marking members 26 also may be adjustedin the bushings 52 along the axis of rods 50 in a direction generallyparallel to the direction of movement of the frame 12 over the markingsurface to further provide for greater creativity in the selection ofpatterns to be drawn by the device of the present invention.

Each marking member 26 also may be removed from the holders 24 tofurther change the drawn patterns.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

We claim:

1. A drawing device comprising, a frame, wheel-supporting means on saidframe affording movement of said frame across a supporting surface, apair of mounting means pivotally supported on said frame, one markingmeans movably supported on each said mounting means affordingindependent angular positioning of said marking means relative to thepath of movement of said frame, actuating means connecting saidwheel-supporting means with said pair of mounting means so as to providefor oscillatory movement of said mounting means through spaced-apartpaths which are mirror images of each other in response to movement ofsaid wheel-supporting means, whereby the movement of said device over asurface produces a pair of generally similar linear patterns which mayvary in amplitude in accordance with the selective positioning of saidseparate marker-supporting means.

2. The drawing device of claim 1 wherein said marking members areindependently adjustable in a direction generally parallel to thedirection of movement of the frame over the marking surface to providefor further selective determinations of the drawn pattern.

3. The drawing device of claim ll including a drive shaft mounted onsaid frame and rotatable in response to movement of the frame over saidmarking surface, a cam drum mounted on said shaft and rotatabletherewith, and a linkage operatively connected to said mounting meansand having a cam follower portion engageable with said cam drum to movethe marking means in a pattern determined by the cam drum.

4. The drawing device of claim 3 wherein said cam drum has a pluralityof different individual cam runs disposed longitu-

1. A drawing device comprising, a frame, wheel-supporting means on saidframe affording movement of said frame across a supporting surface, apair of mounting means pivotally supported on said frame, one markingmeans movably supported on each said mounting means affordingindependent angular positioning of said marking means relative to thepath of movement of said frame, actuating means connecting saidwheel-supporting means with said pair of mounting means so as to providefor oscillatory movement of said mounting means through spaced-apartpaths which are mirror images of each other in response to movement ofsaid wheel-supporting means, whereby the movement of said device over asurface produces a pair of generally similar linear patterns which mayvary in amplitude in accordance with the selective positioning of saidseparate marker-supporting means.
 2. The drawing device of claim 1wherein said marking members are independently adjustable in a directiongenerally parallel to the direction of movement of the frame over themarking surface to provide for further selective determinations of thedrawn pattern.
 3. The drawing device of claim 1 including a drive shaftmounted on said frame and rotatable in response to movement of the frameover said marking surface, a cam drum mounted on said shaft androtatable therewith, and a linkage operatively connected to saidmounting means and having a cam follower portion engageable with saidcam drum to move the marking means in a pattern determined by the camdrum.
 4. The drawing device of claim 3 wherein said cam drum has aplurality of different individual cam runs disposed longitudinallytherealong, and including means for shifting said cam follower portionrelative to said cam drum for selective engagement with selected ones ofsaid cam runs.
 5. The drawing device of claim 3 wherein said cam drumhas a plurality of rises and falls to effect movement of said mountingmeans through said linkage, the rises causing movement of the mountingmeans outwardly perpendicular to the direction of movement of thedevice, and including spring means to urge the mounting means backinwardly as said cam follower portion moves over the falls on the camdrum.